2016 MU theses - Access restricted to MU
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Genetic algorithm for batch sequencing(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2016) Indapurkar, Gunjan Chandrakant; Noble, James S.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Batch sequencing is an elementary function in production control in a manufacturing facility due to increased customer expectations and fierce global as well as domestic competition. In the light of increasing global competition, companies are increasingly required to deliver made-to-order products in shorter production time and on schedule. As a result, production planning and control is under constant pressure to shorten lead times and meet due dates. However, in this research study we do not follow an earliest due date approach. We weigh all batches equally and try to find an optimal sequence with least changeover time. Most production planning and control problems are computationally inflexible in terms of an optimal solution and as a result different dispatching rules are used. Yet due to the current advances in computer and information technology, it is virtually viable and cost effective to implement an optimization based sequencing strategy that utilizes comprehensive information in order to improve shop performance. Optimal batch sequencing is attributed to cost reduction and profit maximization. As sequencing relates to operational cost and performance it directly affects an organization's survivability. Batch sequencing can be approached by Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) framework. In this case, batch insertion sequence represents cities. The cost/distance matrix represents the changeover times. The TSP framework may consist of precedence constraints, reflecting that certain batch must be inserted before others. TSP has a starting node (location) which is a home location. In this thesis, we do not account for precedence constraints in order to get a least cost sequence. In this research, we develop a genetic algorithm (GA) that generates a least cost sequence. The results obtained by GA are validated by mathematical model branch & bound algorithm.Item Portunes Algebra for security formalization in a federated workflow management(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2016) Valluripally, Samaikya; Calyam, Prasad[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The allocation and dynamic adaptation of federated cyberinfrastructure resources across multiple domains for data-intensive application workflows is typically based on performance-centric considerations. Such an approach could compromise the end-to-end security requirements of scientific application workflows. The major cause for any compromise can be attributed to the lack of methods that suitably align application workflows' end-to-end security requirements, and diverse or heterogeneous domain resource and security policies. In this thesis, we present an architecture for joint security and performance-driven federated resource allocation and adaptation for a set of exemplar data-intensive scientific applications that use distributed computing and remote instrumentation. In order to aid security-driven resource brokering among domains with diverse security postures, we describe an alignment technique inspired by Portunes Algebra to combine heterogeneous domain-specific resource policies affecting an application workflow lifecycle. We develop a middleware implementation that operationalizes the use of portunes statements for satisfying the security alignment for the SoyKB application workflow life cycle involving local university resources, and federated resources at U. of Texas at Austin. Our validation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our novel approach in its ability to assist domain scientists and cyberinfrastructure analysts to homogenize multi-domain security and resource policies while managing data-intensive application workflows.Item Effects of infographics in science communication : learning preferences and prior knowledge as moderators(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2016) Lee, Namyeon; Lee, Sungkyoung[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Infographics have emerged as a popular means of conveying information in a variety of fields. In particular, infographics are considered as useful means of delivering scientific knowledge, because infographics can help general audiences to understand technical jargons and context than traditional text-only news. However, little research is done to examine how infographics improve or undermine the processing of information with greater complexity. This study uses Genetically Modified (GM) products and bioengineering as an example of a science communication topic. Then, the study investigates how use of infographics would influence the cognitive and behavioral processing during science news through an online 2 (message type: infographics vs. text-based) X 2 (learning preference: visual vs. verbal) X 2 (prior knowledge: low vs. high) mixed design experiment. The results showed that use of infographics is effective in audience's memory retrieval process, however, different from the predictions, learning preferences and prior knowledge were not found to be significant moderating variables in predicting how message presentation types influence a series of outcome variables. Importantly, additional analyses resulted in significant message presentation types X prior attitude towards GM products X prior knowledge 3-way interaction on risk perception, attitude, and purchase intention toward GM products. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed based on the findings from the study.Item Characterization of the Embolisher, a device for cerebral embolic protection(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2016) Krvavac, Amer; El-Gizawy, Ahmed[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new, minimally invasive solution to replacing diseased aortic valves. However, some of residual particles resulting from crushing the diseased valve during implementation of TAVI could make their way to the blood stream moving to the brain and causing strokes (average about 22% of cases treated with TAVI). The present work aims at investigating different scenarios of blood dynamics during implementation of TAVI in order to come with novel device/method to eliminate any risk of strokes. The new device is named "Embolisher". It consists of three parts; stent, deployment apparatus, and retrieval apparatus. The present research focuses on development of novel stent design and uses both experimental methods and numerical simulation of the blood flow during implementation of TAVI. Testing prototype of the novel stent design on the simulator proved success in blocking 99% of neutrally buoyant microspheres injected and over 97% of neutrally buoyant microspheres destined for cerebral circulation. Optimization of deployment and retrieval apparatuses for performance and cost effectiveness is highly recommended.Item Effects of menthol on swallowing function in a mouse model of presbyphagia(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2016) Littrell, Loren Leigh; Lever, Teresa E.[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The goal of this study was to characterize the progression of presbyphagia in our recently established mouse model and investigate the treatment effect of menthol on swallow dysfunction in advanced aging mice. To accomplish these goals, we evaluated a total of 17 advanced-age (i.e., late senescent) C57BL/6 mice (22-25 months; 9 males, 8 females) using our freely-behaving videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) protocol. Three test solutions were administered at room temperature in the following order, spaced 30 minutes apart: standard VFSS recipe, standard VFSS recipe + 5 mM menthol, and standard VFSS recipe. Video recordings were analyzed to quantify the immediate and potentiation (30 minute) effects of menthol. Swallow function in late senescent mice was significantly more impaired than young mice. Oral ingestion of 5 mM menthol had immediate and potentiation effects on all three stages of swallowing. Specifically, menthol resulted in significantly (p<0.05) faster lick rates, higher lick-swallow ratios, longer inter-swallow intervals, slower swallow rates, faster esophageal transit times, higher proportion of effective esophageal swallows, and fewer swallows required to clear the esophagus. This study provides novel evidence that menthol "rescues" swallow function, returning it to youthful levels. A larger scale pre-clinical study is underway to systematically investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of menthol as a treatment strategy for presbyphagia/dysphagia in mice and to elucidate the responsible molecular mechanisms of action.